BUSINESS SCHOOL

business school

UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE, LUTON

'chadwickdryerclarke provided a solution to an inherent spatial conundrum between operational requirement and long-term flexibility. Sentiently astute and inquisitive, CDC were attentive to the requirements of the client in which to translate a complex organisational environment into asingle coherent design solution, adding value beyond the original brief in end-product delivery and user satisfaction.'

Ash Carline, Head of Projects', University of Bedfordshire

Shortlisted for the AJ Retrofit Awards 2013, in the Higher Education category.

chadwickdryerclarke were appointed by the University of Bedfordshire to design a major
refurbishment of two existing buildings on its Luton campus forming its Business School. In tandem
with this, we designed a new rooftop extension to the building and an over-cladding system to
enhance the appearance and environmental performance of the existing buildings.

The existing buildings (from the 1960s and 1990s building stock) had long-standing environmental
issues, and did not fit with the carbon-reduction programme of the University. CDC’s cladding design
greatly improves natural ventilation, thermal insulation and air-tightness to provide an energyefficient
solution. Aesthetically the existing buildings will be harmonised with newer buildings more recently
developed on the campus.

the roof extension has a dual function of improving the visual impact of the existing building,
forming a new rooftop feature that increases the visibility of the Business School across Luton. In
addition, the extension harnesses passive solar shading and improved natural ventilation to improve the comfort
of the occupants within existing rooftop offices and teaching rooms.

The University’s Luton campus is now in possession of a centrally-located building that makes best use of its available space, is well-connected to its campus, and looks ostensibly like a ‘new building’ – a compliment the University has received from a number of visitors, and one of the key aims of the brief.